Philanthropic Leadership Award Dinner

Recently, Baylor Health Care System Foundation received a transformational grant of more than $1 million from the Paula S. Walker Donor Advised Fund at The Dallas Foundation to support the Center for Arts in Medicine at Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas. The grant was a result of months of collaboration between the donor, Baylor Health Care Sytem executive and clinical leaders, The Dallas Foundation and Baylor Foundation staff. Yet, it would never have come together if not for one individual – Dodee Crockett – managing director of Merrill Lynch, and Paula’s financial advisor.

"I was searching for something significant to give to, and working with Dodee, I realized the Arts in Medicine program could grow to benefit more patients, and I could be a part of making that happen," said Paula. In February, the Baylor Foundation honored Dodee and recognized the work of other outstanding legal and financial advisors in our city at the Foundation’s fourth Philanthropic Leadership Award Dinner held at the Nasher Sculpture Center.

"A culture of philanthropy doesn't happen by accident. It takes a broad effort on many fronts, including highly-skilled, committed professionals who provide the right advice at the right time to amplify and refine extraordinary charitable gifts," said Baylor Foundation president Rowland K. Robinson. "By using their professional tools to enhance their clients' resources, more people are fed and cared for, lives are saved, and more comfort and joy is provided than would otherwise be possible. We think that’s worth celebrating."

Upon accepting the Foundation’s Philanthropic Leadership Award, Dodee spoke about the rewards of advising clients who wish to transform their philanthropic interests into reality.

"If a client's goal is to stack the wealth up in a corner and see how high we can grow it, they're probably not a good fit for me," said Dodee. "But if the goal is to provide for their family, ease pain, bring health, joy and happiness to others, I am so inspired to see that goal to fruition. There is nothing better than when our clients have the satisfaction of seeing their resources used in a way that gives them joy in their lifetime. That is my hope as an advisor, to help them do that."

Creating a Center for Arts in Medicine will integrate music, visual and performing arts to promote healing and enhance the lives of our patients, families, visitors, staff and employees. The grant from the Paula S. Walker Donor Advised Fund at The Dallas Foundation is supporting the infrastructure necessary for core patient programs, funding salaries for an Arts in Medicine coordinator, two music practitioners and an art therapist, in addition to funding an artist-in-residence program and staff training.

For more information on the Arts in Medicine program or planned giving, contact Craig Foster at 214-820-8196 or Craig.Foster@BSWHealth.org.